Buro city guide: Aspen

With an airport chock full of private jets, a high net-worth clientele, cosmopolitan city edge and best-in-show terrain, Aspen is one of the ritziest alpine towns on the map, writes Lucie Clark

Founded as a silver mining boomtown turned ski resort, the fur-clad A-list glamour factor shines bright in this Rocky Mountain showstopper. Its high-altitude arsenal includes world-class snow sports in winter, hiking with to-die-for views in summer, a high-society après-ski scene and a slew of boutiques worthy of any label-loving woman. Being a serious alpine addict since one-piece ski suits were in fashion, I've been to many snow-capped towns around the globe, but Aspen is my all-time favourite. Here's why.

Top 3 Coffee Shops

1. Ink! CoffeeForget everything you've heard about American coffee: this is the real deal. Piping hot caffeinated beverages from a menu that reads like a coffee/tea/hot chocolate lovers ultimate shopping list. Sublime sandwiches are also available.

1. Spring CafeThis organic food and juice bar is a bright breakfast beacon for the bleary-eyed. Everything on the menu is organic, with the colourful juices and protein-focused egg dishes providing a healthy pre-ski energy boost.

2. Peach's Corner CafePeach's Corner Café is located on a prime street style spotting junction at the corner of Hopkins and Galena streets. The brekkie menu is a revelation of palate-pleasing offerings with apt names like the New Yorker (a toasted bagel with salmon). Nice prices mean you can breakfast here every day.

3. Aspen Over EasyAspen Over Easy got the sustainable memo and incorporates it into their cuisine. Environment aside, this eatery does lunch like a pro with a menu of choose-your-own-filling burgers, stomach-satisfying sandwiches and essential carb-load fries.

5. Big WrapBoutique bunker style joint with queues out the door serving gourmet wraps, heart-warming soups and tasty tacos. A good jumping off point for a speedy stand-up lunch before heading back to the slopes.

1. Ajax TavernThis is alpine dining at its peak: think clubby and cool with relaxed, mouth-watering nosh and all-star American service. Chow down on Colorado striped bass and Ajax truffle fries while you watch how the high-style society set do après-ski. Also does excellent cocktails.

2. Element 47An award-winning fine dining destination in the luxe Little Nell Hotel located at the foot of the Silver Queen Gondola. Aspen was founded for its silver and Element 47 pays due respect via their silver service breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Go for the glamour factor.

4. Pine Creek CookhouseTake the romantic lead via dinner at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. It involves a sleigh ride across the snow followed by fairytale snow-capped timber exteriors, candle-lit interiors and a four-course meal.

1. 39 Degrees Lounge at Sky Hotel39 Degrees digs the hipster scene hard. It's a swanky lounge with exceptional celeb spotting and Insta brags potential, rounded out with a well-equipped cocktail list to warm you up from head to toe.

3. Jimmy'sJumping neighbourhood bar and restaurant with possibly the most extensive wine list in town (if not the state). Four certified sommeliers on staff ensure glasses are always full of perfectly matched tipples.

1. Hotel JeromeElegant, American-style rooms in five-star surrounds. It has a full-service in-house spa for essential post-ski pampering and excellent dining from the hotel's American bistro, Prospect. A grand hotel dame.

3. The St. Regis Aspen ResortCheck your budget at the door, the St Regis is all the bells, whistles and pricing expected from one of the most opulent hotel groups on the planet. With a world-class Remède Spa, fitness centre, pool and Butler service, the St Regis is the high-end hotel goods.

4. The GantStaying longer than a weekend? Opt into an upscale condo at The Gant, which offers hotel-style service with the benefits of an apartment. Exceptional mountain vistas from the higher floors, heated swimming pool, gym, and lovely staff make this the globetrotting family-friendly go-to.

Aspen is seriously stacked when it comes to high-fashion apparel, all the labels are represented on a block radius of S. Galena St, E. Hyman Ave, S. Hunter St, and E. Hopkins Ave. Pick out a pair of rock-stud heels at Valentino, then get luxe cottoned up at LA brand James Perse, dig a trench at Burberry, select a cool trinket or three at Kate Spade, soft shoe shuffle over to Gucci for some new arm hardware or join the preppy ranks with a walk through Ralph Lauren. For denim die-hards hit Kali's Denim and if you have kids in tow, bribe - we mean treat - them with something sweet from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Aspen is a sporting town so natch there's a Lululemon to cover your athleisure needs. For skiing gear, head to Aspen Sports, which has knowledgeable ski rental staff, excellent ski gear for tall and small travellers and 11 locations - there's basically one on every block.

Explore Booksellers is a gorgeous bookworm's paradise located in a too-cute-to-believe Victorian-style cottage.

Winter: on the slopesWinter is best spent skiing or boarding the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass set. From the beginner slopes at Buttermilk to the expert-only black diamonds at Aspen Mountain, all skill levels are comprehensively covered. It's also the home of the Winter X Games, providing on-slope entertainment while catching a ride up the chair lift.

Maroon BellsCamera-ready: the Maroon Bells Mountains, located 10 miles out of Aspen, provide the most picture perfect mountain vista in North America. Hike one of the trails for the ultimate #photooftheday.

Woody Creek TavernAbout 15 minutes' drive away from Aspen, the Woody Creek Tavern was Hunter S. Thompson's watering hole (word on the street is he almost drank it dry). It's got a kitsch but fun feel, stop by for a chill beverage, comfort food and local folklore tales.

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